Program: Women's Mobile Primary Care
Hours: Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 12:30–4:30 PM
Status: 0.2 FTE (8 hours/week), Unionized per BCGEU Collective Agreement

Starting Wage: $37.67 – $49.38/hour
* subject to increase, pending new BCGEU Collective Agreement

Vancouver Aboriginal Health Society (VAHS) is a not-for-profit organization located in the Downtown Eastside (DTES) community for over 30 years. Our services are designed by and for urban Aboriginal people to promote physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness. VAHS programs include a cultural team of Elders, Traditional Healers, and Knowledge Keepers; a comprehensive Primary Care Clinic; a Dental Clinic with by-donation services; and Indigenous Early Years programs for children and families.


ABOUT THIS POSITION

VAHS has been afforded the opportunity to implement a new Women’s Mobile Primary Care program to improve access to healthcare for women facing multiple barriers in Vancouver. Many resilient women face various structural factors, and visiting a fixed location can cause challenges; it is therefore essential to offer a Mobile primary care program that offers the flexibility that stationary sites do not. It is an opportunity to transform the way in which we operate and bring services to women, therefore removing significant access barriers.

To implement this program, VAHS is seeking a Registered Nurse (RN) who is passionate about improving Women’s health and wellbeing. Working within the context of a holistic, culturally safe, and women-centered care model, the RN will provide care in a multi-disciplinary Mobile clinic to women with a variety of health-related needs, including but not limited to sexual health, substance use and harm reduction supports, and chronic physical/mental health challenges.

Work will be delivered at 449 East Hastings and at regular Mobile sites with partner agencies in the DTES and surrounding neighbourhoods.


DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Deliver nursing care and case management, under the scope of a Registered Nurse, within a collaborative team of physicians, cultural supports, allied health professionals, existing or new community partners, VAHS staff, and other service providers
  • Connect and engage with women in the community to assess service eligibility and facilitate the development, implementation, and adaptation of care plans
  • Participate in relevant meetings and team-based work to provide technical advice and evidence-based recommendations to develop/improve policies, procedures, and best practices
  • Identify, manage, and report on risks to mitigate negative impacts on program delivery
  • Perform other related duties to support the overall implementation of the program

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Current practicing registration as a Registered Nurse within the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM)
  • One year of recent, related experience, or completion of a full, final clinical placement in a community health setting — or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
  • A valid BC Driver’s License and access to a personal vehicle for business-related purposes

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

  • Comprehensive knowledge of health care disciplines and their role in patient care
  • Comprehensive knowledge of community nursing theory and practice within a client- and family-centered model of care
  • Able in deal with a variety of situations requiring initiative, creativity, and professional judgment
  • Knowledge of the principles and practices of a client- and family-centered recovery model for mental health and substance use-related challenges
  • Able to assess patients at risk, with knowledge of appropriate Acts and legal responsibilities, relating to the rights and obligations of patients and care providers
  • Knowledge and experience in trauma-informed practices, harm reduction principles, cultural safety, and recovery-oriented care
  • Broad knowledge of crisis intervention, and able to offer supportive counseling 
  • Broad knowledge of mental health and substance use-related challenges, potential treatments, and psychopharmacology
  • Broad knowledge of local health care settings and community resources
  • Able to conduct mental status and suicide risk assessments
  • Able to develop and coordinate care plans
  • Able to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with patients and their families, colleagues, and community partners, both one-on-one and in groups
  • Demonstrated listening and information seeking skills that promote healthy communication and lead to a cooperative, multi-disciplinary approach to problem solving
  • Able to establish workload priorities and adjust to unexpected situations
  • Able to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team-based model of care
  • Demonstrated problem solving, consultation, leadership, and critical thinking skills
  • Able to operate related equipment, including applicable software applications
  • Physically able to perform the duties of the position

Due to this program serving a diverse community of women, this position is open to women (trans-inclusive) only, in alignment with Section 41 of the BC Human Rights Code. We strongly encourage people from equity-deserving communities to apply, including but not limited to: Indigenous, Black, and people of colour; disabled people; and 2SLGBTQIA+ people. Aboriginal (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) applicants are preferred. In your cover letter, please self-identify at your comfort level.


HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your application or questions about this posting to: [email protected]
ATTN: Jennifer Anderson, Clinic Operations Supervisor
Subject Line: Women's Mobile RN Application

Closing Date: Open until filled

All VAHS job applications require a resume and a cover letter; please submit both in PDF format. Successful candidates will be required to complete a vulnerable sector Criminal Record Check.

VAHS thanks all applicants for their interest, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

The information in this job posting is subject to change, consistent with operational requirements and the provision of the BCGEU Collective Agreement and applicable statutes.